The Reptile Map

If you’re ever taking a stroll on a dirt path in Phoenix at night, if you pay close enough attention you can sometimes hear a faint twitchy scurrying sound around your footsteps. This is usually a lizard; one of the cold blooded creatures who adore the Southwest heat.  Although modern day Phoenix looks very different…

By: Jacob Shi Appearing on Earth 320 million years ago, reptiles continue to fulfill an integral role maintaining biodiversity. Their impact is evident, with over 12,000 recorded reptile species contributing to the balance of ecosystems across the globe. However, people might still have misconceptions about these creatures and the purpose of this article is to…

By: Isabelle French I decided to adopt a crested gecko a few years back, while I expected him to be a fun pet I did not anticipate how much personality he would have. Like a cat or a dog he is aware of his food times and will wait or jump on the glass when…

By: Irina Tabacila and Dean Zacharis Lizards contribute to the balance of ecosystems, as predator and prey. They contribute to insect populations, which prevents overpopulation and the spread of diseases. Additionally, lizards are a food source for different species of birds, mammals, and other reptiles. Therefore, they are an important piece to the food web…

Turtles are a keystone species. They play an important role in keeping an ecosystem functioning. Turtles maintain the health of our wetlands by consuming the carcasses of dead fish and animals, which removes harmful bacteria; and they also eat plants and spread seeds to grow new fish nurseries, moose habitats and wetland areas. Turtles also have…